Albums to watch

Goddess

Banks

Goddess

Debut album from Los Angeles neo-R&B singer-songwriter

ADM rating[?]

6.8

Label
Virgin EMI / Harvest
UK Release date
08/09/2014
US Release date
09/09/2014
  1. 9.4 |   Sputnik Music (staff)

    Confident and complex, it's a standout debut from one of the most promising artists of the last few years
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |   The 405

    What with this and FKA twigs' LP1, we've definitely been spoiled for phenomenal R&B this year
    Read Review

  3. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Banks has a universal appeal that’ll see her soar to the tops of charts, into high-profile festival spots, and slide into awards season like she’s covered in butter
    Read Review

  4. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    An accomplished debut
    Read Review

  5. 8.0 |   State

    A slick, effortless and modern affair, littered with break beats but making sure Banks’ clear, strong vocal style is the prominent instrument throughout
    Read Review

  6. 7.5 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Goddess owns everything it presents, which is a high compliment for a debut. It asks listeners to love it, and its creator, for both flaws and attributes
    Read Review

  7. 7.0 |   Clash

    Aaliyah-like vocals pour from ‘Goddess’, while a gang of bleeding-edge underground producers (SOHN, Kwabs, TEED) concoct soulful beats to cushion them
    Read Review

  8. 7.0 |   Slant Magazine

    Banks's voice has one of two modes: a sultry lower register like that of Apple, and a higher-pitched delivery that recalls Nelly Furtado's more nasal timbre
    Read Review

  9. 7.0 |   NME

    Her debut LP is good, but not up to the standard its title suggests
    Read Review

  10. 7.0 |   Digital Spy

    Even if Goddess isn't quite deserving of fully-fledged worship just yet, though, it's still capable of being a brooders' delight
    Read Review

  11. 7.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    A decent debut that would be bolstered still by a bit of focus and a less precious approach in the cutting room
    Read Review

  12. 7.0 |   Rolling Stone

    Her debut LP confirms a beguiling, diaristic voice that echoes avant-pop forebears (Aaliyah, Fiona Apple, Kate Bush) and a taste for gloomy, synth-centric productions
    Read Review

  13. 7.0 |   A.V. Club

    While Goddess could have used some better editing, it still reveals glimpses of an artist who could shape the sounds of the times instead of just reflecting them
    Read Review

  14. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    On the whole, Goddess sounds like baby-making music for the Tinder generation, when options abound yet meaningful connection seems as elusive as ever
    Read Review

  15. 6.8 |   Earbuddy

    If you are coming to Banks’ debut excited, you’ll likely be left somewhat disappointed. However, if you missed out on all of the singles that have found their way into the ether so far, Goddess will be the perfect album to help the transition from summer to fall
    Read Review

  16. 6.5 |   Beardfood

    The promising R&B starlet disappoints with an uneven debut
    Read Review

  17. 6.0 |   The Irish Times

    There are bits and bobs that we’ve heard before (The xx, Sade, Lana Del Ray) and bits and pieces that just don’t fit
    Read Review

  18. 6.0 |   Time Out

    Slick, accomplished and bang on-trend, but crucially lacking in soul
    Read Review

  19. 6.0 |   The Observer

    Slow-burning, fidgety, attractively troubled
    Read Review

  20. 5.8 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    Goddess leaves a fleeting impression, despite its consistent and tuneful pull, because the artist at its center remains a cipher
    Read Review

  21. 5.0 |   Pitchfork

    Banks could certainly go places—but Goddess doesn't, and instead seems content to wallow in the same depressive rut for an exhausting 59 minutes
    Read Review

  22. 5.0 |   musicOMH

    The album’s best moments only go to highlight how average the rest of it is and by the end it just begins to drag
    Read Review

  23. 4.0 |   The FT

    The indulgent length of her debut album – an hour during which the mid-tempo pace never varies – overstates her case
    Read Review


blog comments powered by Disqus

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Hear it

Preview & download it

Banks: Goddess

  • Download full album for just £5.99
  • 1. Alibi £0.99
  • 2. Goddess £0.99
  • 3. Waiting Game £0.99
  • 4. Brain £0.99
  • 5. This Is What It Feels Like £0.99
  • 6. You Should Know Where I’m Coming From £0.99
  • 7. Stick £0.99
  • 8. Fuck Em Only We Know £0.99
  • 9. Drowning £0.99
  • 10. Beggin For Thread £0.99
  • 11. Change £0.99
  • 12. Someone New £0.99
  • 13. Warm Water £0.99
  • 14. Under The Table £0.99
  • Service provided by 7Digital

Latest Reviews

More reviews